Big East Basketball

UConn and men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley have agreed to a new six-year, $50 million contract.

The contract will keep Hurley in Storrs through the 2029-30 season, according to a press release.

Hurley will receive a base salary of $400,000, plus $6.375 million in additional compensation, for the 2024-25 season.

That salary will escalate each year throughout the contract. Hurley will also receive a $1 million annual retention bonus.

The new contract represents a raise from the six-year, $32.1 million deal the 51-year-old signed last year.

Last month, the Los Angeles Lakers offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract to leave the Huskies, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

Hurley rejected the offer, which would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, in order to seek a third straight title with UConn.

The contract provides Hurley with the opportunity to earn higher compensation through "performance-based incentives," the school stated.

The additional $6 million Hurley is already set to make next season is due to "speaking, consulting and media obligations," UConn stated.

Hurley's raise will be funded by donations and ticket revenue, UConn said.

The contract makes Hurley the second-highest paid coach in men's college basketball behind only Kansas' Bill Self, who inked his own five-year, $53 million deal in November.

The deal is worth less than both the offer Hurley reportedly received from the Lakers, as well as what he was reportedly offered by Kentucky.

Evan Sidery of Forbes reported that the Jayhawks offered Hurley $11 million per year to replace John Calipari.

The Lakers were meanwhile willing to pay him $11.6 million per year, which even with California's high income tax rate would be worth more than his take-home pay in Storrs (h/t On3's Alex Weber and Forbes.)

But Hurley could be set to increase his salary with a third title. Even with stars like Donovan Clingan headed out of Storrs, the Huskies coach may be heading into the 2024-25 season confident that he is set to hit his performance-based incentive targets after the team's 37-3 campaign last season.

Hurley will begin his seventh season with Connecticut with a 141-58 record as head coach. He holds an overall record of 292-163, including a 14-4 mark in the NCAA tournament, through 15 seasons as a college coach for Wagner, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Dan Hurley turned down the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, instead choosing to return to UConn and chase a third straight title with the men's basketball team.

"I am humbled by this entire experience," he said in a statement. "At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team before today's workout and our focus right now is on getting better this summer."

The Lakers reportedly offered Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, which would have made him one of the sixth-highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

Still, given how the market has shifted, some folks believed it was actually a lower offer than realistically would have ever pried Hurley away from Storrs:

Money likely won't be an issue for Hurley at UConn, however, with Woj reporting that "even before [the] Lakers talks, Hurley already had a UConn offer to become one of highest paid NCAA coaches and those talks will continue, per sources."

Wojnarowski added that the Lakers will now "regroup and resume bringing in candidates for interviews with the hope of hiring a coach by [the] draft, sources said. James Borrego is expected to remain [a] part of [the] group and [the] Lakers could do their first formal interview with JJ Redick."

Hurley, 51, has gone 141-58 in his six seasons with the Huskies, leading the team to four straight NCAA tournaments and two straight national championships.

UConn's run to the 2023-24 title was one of the most dominant in NCAA men's basketball history, as the team finished 37-3 on the season and won every tournament game by at least 14 points.

Hurley chose to continue building his dynasty overtaking one of the highest-profile coaching gigs in all of sports. It's a setback for the Lakers, but an excellent day for UConn.

Dan Hurley is reportedly staying with UConn after rejecting the Los Angeles Lakers' offer to replace Darvin Ham as head coach.

Hurley, who has been with the Huskies since 2018, is fresh off his second consecutive NCAA championship and "couldn't walk away" from the opportunity to lead UConn to a third, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

After the rumors of Hurley's return, a handful of current Huskies expressed their excitement about having their coach back.

A former player, Rip Hamilton, and assistant coach Luke Murray also chimed in.

Hurley reportedly turned down a sizeable offer, as Wojnarowski reported the Lakers were prepared to give him a six-year, $70 million contract that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

But UConn came with a sizeable offer to keep him with the Huskies. The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman reported that UConn gave Hurley a six-year deal worth around $50 million.

While his contract to remain with UConn isn't as lucrative as the Lakers' deal would have been, Hurley has the chance to make history and become the first head coach to win three consecutive championships since UCLA's John Wooden won seven straight from 1967 to 1973.

Hurley will have to navigate the 2024-25 season without star players Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle—both of whom are projected to be top-10 picks in the NBA draft by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman—but the Huskies still have a talented roster heading into the year.

Highlighting that roster is Alex Karaban, who pulled out of the NBA draft to return to UConn. Karaban averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season and is looking to lead the Huskies to glory again this season.

Joining Karaban is Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, and Liam McNeeley, a 5-star prospect and the No. 17 player in the nation according to 247Sports Composite.

It's safe to say those three are happy to have Hurley coming back to UConn, and they'll look to reward his decision with a championship.

After turning down an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers, UConn head coach Dan Hurley will never go hungry in the state of Connecticut again.

J. Timothy's Taverne in Plainville, Connecticut, took to social media to let Hurley know that he can pop in at any time for free wings for life:

J. Timothy's Taverne proclaims itself to be the creator of "dirt wings," which are double-fried and double-sauced to create more crispiness and caramelization. Hurley will have his choice of five different delicious wing flavors at his disposal whenever he has a craving.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Hurley rejected a six-year, $70 million offer from the Lakers to pursue a third straight national championship with the Huskies. The contract reportedly would've made Hurley one of the six highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

Wojnarowski further explained that despite being "swept away" by "the Lakers courtship and vision for him," Hurley "ultimately couldn't walk away from a chance to make history and pursue a third straight NCAA title." The 51-year-old is reportedly engaged in contract talks with UConn that "will continue."

Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 added that Hurley has been offered a six-year, $50 million extension from UConn, but it is currently "on the table" as negotiations are ongoing.

However, the one thing for certain is that none of the cash Hurley receives in his upcoming deal will have to go toward the wings at J. Timothy Taverne.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley reportedly has an extension offer on the table from the school after he turned down an opportunity to coach the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

According to Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68, Hurley currently has the option to accept a six-year deal worth $50 million with the Huskies after walking away from a six-year contract worth $70 million from the Lakers.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Hurley "couldn't walk away from" an opportunity to potentially secure a third consecutive NCAA title with the Huskies.

After the Lakers fired former head coach Darvin Ham on May 3, they've reportedly been interested in several candidates. ESPN analyst JJ Redick and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego have both been listed as possible options.

However, Wojnarowski revealed that Hurley had been at the "forefront" of the team's search for a new head coach "from the beginning of the process."

While his extension offer from UConn is less than the Lakers' contract proposal, he has made it clear in the past that money isn't the only determining factor when it comes to his career choices.

"I've got a long career of turning down jobs or more money to stay in places that I was happy and fit me," he said during an April 10 appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

Goodman also noted that the $50 million offer from UConn is "on the table," and Hurley has not accepted it yet. Wojnarowksi reported that extension talks between both sides "will continue" after he rejected Los Angeles' offer on Monday, which could result in an increase of the value of a possible extension after the Lakers' contract details were revealed.

Now, Hurley will remain with the Huskies and attempt to help them become the first team to win three straight national championships since UCLA claimed seven consecutive titles under legendary head coach John Wooden from 1967-73.

Alex Karaban is going for a three-peat.

The UConn forward announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from the 2024 NBA draft and returning to the Huskies for the upcoming men's college basketball campaign. "While I've enjoyed the draft process, Storrs is home," he wrote. "Let's run it back."

Karaban and other draft prospects have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday to decide whether they will remain in the draft or return to school, so he made his decision close to the deadline.

While he was not included in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, he did have the opportunity to test himself against fellow prospects and go through the draft preparations. That will surely benefit him next year or beyond when he does decide to pursue the NBA.

David Borges of CT Insider noted he "had a strong performance" during the NBA Draft Combine that included impressive showings in three-point shooting drills and one of the five-on-five scrimmages.

Earlier this month, Karaban spoke to college basketball insider Andy Katz and certainly didn't rule out returning to school and playing another season under head coach Dan Hurley.

"It's a win-win no matter what," he said of his decision. "Staying in the draft, of course, is chasing my NBA dreams that I've always wanted for a while. But going back to school, there's no better place to play college basketball than for UConn. Playing under Coach Hurley and the coaching staff for another year would be a blessing."

This is certainly a boost for the Huskies, who will be going for their third consecutive national championship during the 2024-25 campaign.

The 2022-23 Big East All-Freshman took a jump during his sophomore season in 2023-24 and averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from deep.

Karaban scored in double figures in three of the team's six NCAA tournament games, including when he posted 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists during the Final Four victory over Alabama.

His decision to return gives UConn additional experience and a veteran leader during a season when it will surely receive the best shot from each of its opponents.

The NCAA is on the verge of a historic settlement decision related to recent antitrust cases, but one of the most prestigious basketball conferences is not on board with the impending decision.

Per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, Big East commissioner Val Ackerman sent an email to conference members on Saturday expressing a "strong objection" to the NCAA's proposal for how it will be distributing back damages as part of the consolidated settlement in the House, Hubbard and Carter antitrust cases.

Ackerman added in her email that she is hoping to find a way to "alter the plan that the NCAA and A5 have orchestrated."

The settlement, which Dellenger noted is "in the final stages of adoption," consists of three components: $2.77 billion in back damages owed to former collegiate athletes; a revenue-sharing model for current and future athletes that can cost upwards of $22 million per school; and an overhaul of multiple NCAA rules such as scholarship and roster limits, governance structure and enforcement arm.

During the proposed 10-year payback period, the NCAA would be responsible for 40 percent of the $2.77 billion while the other 60 percent would come from a reduction in school distributions. The NCAA determined a formula for how much each of the 32 Division I conferences would contribute based on the amount of distribution earned by each league over a nine-year period beginning in 2016.

The Big East would be facing contributions of $5-7 million annually, which could be up to $70 million over the next decade. Each school would be responsible for $600,000-700,000 per year, which would be a large chuck of each school's budget.

"Based on the numbers we have reviewed, the liability of the 22 non-FBS conferences under the proposed formula appears disproportionately high, particularly because the primary beneficiaries of the NIL 'back pay' amounts are expected to be FBS football players," Ackerman wrote in her email. "I have voiced the Big East's strong objections to the proposed damages framework through recent emails to (NCAA president) Charlie Baker and his counsel and through comments during commissioner calls over the past two weeks."

Ackerman noted that while she and other non-FBS conferences plan to fight for a change to the distribution formula, she is "unclear how much time or leverage" they have because of the football powers Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and remaining and former members of the Pac-12 serving as the lead defendants in the antitrust cases.

Power conference leaders are expected to meet this week to vote and potentially adopt the settlement, with decisions expected to run from Tuesday to Thursday. Ackerman's letter said the NCAA Board of Governors is set to meet Thursday to review and potentially authorize the settlement. She will meet with other Big East leaders on Tuesday during the annual league meetings in Florida to further discuss the matter.

Five-star forward Jamier Jones, who is ranked 22nd overall on the 247Sports composite list of class of 2025 men's high school basketball prospects, has committed to Providence.

Jones revealed the news to Joe Tipton of On3 on Instagram Live Sunday. He chose the Friars over Ohio State, Houston, Kansas, LSU and South Carolina.

Jones, a 6'6", 210-pound small forward out of Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida, explained to Tipton why he chose Providence over five other schools.

"The loyalty of coach English and the coaching staff," Jones stated.

"I wouldn't want to trust any other coaching staff to get me to where I want to be which is the NBA. Everything those guys have been telling me sounds great and I'm just ready to work hard and do what I do to reach my goal!"

Jones also provided a self-scouting report when asked what Providence will be getting when he steps on campus in a year:

"One word: Dog. Literally the dog mentally I play with separates me a lot. I'm a willing passer and love to get my teammates involved. I put pressure on the rim (rim attacker is the best thing I do) and I can knock down shots and it's only going to get better from here."

Jones is a massive addition for a Providence team that's already added 4-star center Erhunmwunse Oswin to its class of 2025. Oswin, who committed to head coach Kim English's program in January, is ranked No. 24 overall on the 247Sports composite list.

The NBA draft order is set after the lottery on Sunday, and fans and analysts now have a better idea of how teams might go about their selections.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released their post-lottery mock draft on Sunday and projected where a pair of notable big men could land in the draft.

Givony and Woo project the Charlotte Hornets to take UConn star Donovan Clingan with the No. 6 pick and have Purdue's Zach Edey going to the Miami Heat with the No. 15 pick.

Clingan, who led the Huskies to a national championship last season, stands at 7'2" and is arguably one of the best prospects coming out of the collegiate ranks in this year's draft. He averaged 13 points and 7.4 boards per game in the 2023-24 season, also blocking 2.5 shots per game.

Clingan's rim protection and solid offensive game make him a sound pick for the Hornets, and at just 20 years old, he has plenty of time to develop even more.

The Hornets have a top-10 pick for a second consecutive year after taking Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick in 2023. Miller finished third in the Rookie of the Year race after averaging 17.3 points per game.

Adding some help in the frontcourt could help Charlotte finally change the trajectory of its franchise after missing the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons.

For Miami, Edey could be a perfect fit. The 7'4" senior led the Boilermakers to the NCAA tournament title game after averaging 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game last season. He put up 29.5 points and 14.5 boards per game in the tournament, including a 40-point outburst in the Elite Eight against Tennessee.

Edey has a less refined offensive game than Clingan but is adept at getting to the free throw line and scoring at the rim. Overall, he still needs to develop to keep up with an NBA pace, but Miami has done an outstanding job developing players and likely would be able to turn Edey into an everyday player in the league.

Dan Hurley may be the king of Connecticut, but R-Truth didn't seem too scared of him.

The head coach of the UConn men's basketball team made an appearance at WWE Monday Night Raw in Hartford, Connecticut, and R-Truth suggested Awesome Truth should fight the Huskies.

His tag team partner, The Miz, explained to him that would be fairly difficult since the Huskies are a basketball team:

That WWE would bring Hurley out during its stop in Connecticut comes as no surprise.

After all, he has led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships and has the program operating at the top of the sport. They frankly have barely been challenged in the past two NCAA tournaments with double-digit wins in every single contest.

To say he's a fan favorite in the state would be a massive understatement.

Perhaps Awesome Truth would have offered more of a challenge on Monday than any of the tournament opponents did.